Genetic risk. Genetic risk factors play a role - some say genetics are 2/3 risk factor for systemic lupus erythematous and 1/3 risk factor is due to the environment. Even identical twins do not always get lupus. The risk factor appears to be immune response genes which are inherited. This can be passed down.

Enivorment & genes. Scientists have identified snps for several autoimmune diseases. Snps are certain genetic material when affected by adverse environment leads to autoimmune diseases. In addition there ate clusters of families in parts of world with higher incidence of scleroderma and this points to the fact that genetic play a role, but genes need environmental triggers to become a active; epigenetics.